Jimenez proves age no factor in Hong Kong victory

Jimenez proves age no factor in Hong Kong victory

Miguel Angel Jimenez fired a final round five-under 65 to become the oldest player to record a European Tour victory with a one-stroke triumph at the Hong Kong Open on Sunday.

The Spaniard completed the tournament on 15 under par to edge out Sweden's Fredrik Andersson Hed, who had earlier shot a 64, and secure a hat-trick of Hong Kong titles at the age of 48 years and 318 days.

Jimenez is 284 days older than Irishman Des Smyth was when he won the 2001 Madeira Islands Open and his triumph comes a week after Italy's Matteo Manassero became the first teenager to claim a hat-trick of European Tour titles at the Singapore Open.

After also winning the Hong Kong title in 2005 and 2008, Jimenez saw off the challenge of joint-overnight leader Michael Campbell when the New Zealander fired a disappointing two-over 72 to slip down into a tie for eighth.

Image: Miguel Angel Jimenez of Spain with the winners trophy and his cigar after the final round of the UBS Hong Kong open at The Hong Kong Golf ClubPhotographs: Stuart Franklin/Getty Images

Disappointing Campbell

However, there was disappointment for Campbell, who had gone into the final round looking to end a winless streak stretching back to 2005 when he won the U.S. Open and World Match Play Championship.

After opening with a birdie, Campbell's round began to unravel when he dropped a shot at the par-five third hole and his misery was completed when he made a double-bogey after driving into trees at finding the water on the 18th.

Third place went to Australia's Marcus Fraser after he matched Anderson Hed's 64 to finish three shots behind the leader.

Image: Michael Campbell of New Zealand plays a bunker shot during the final round of the UBS Hong Kong openPhotographs: Stuart Franklin/Getty Images